The polarization of Devin Booker

[Charlie Smithy!]

So it seems like Booker has become somewhat a polarizing figure on this board, at least in the context of criticism.

I know that I've had/have my concerns with both Booker and his contract; I also recognize his innate talent, even given my frustrations.

However, I feel like criticism of Booker (to whatever degree) is being taken (in general) as an unfair overall indictment of him as a player in totality.

I can only guess that it's a combination of things:

1. His stature (both in talent and contract) as our best player.

2. Our collective frustration and impatience as a whole as Suns fans.

3. Something, something Robert Sarver? Lol.

What do ya'll think?

[The Bobster]

I just think he's overrated by Suns fans. He's a very good scorer, but needs to improve his efficiency, he gives better effort than he used to defensively, but he's still not very good, and he can be a little petulant sometimes.

He's not all-star caliber yet, but he's a good, young player who has a lot of potential.

[The Bobster]

Tonight was a good example - he scored plenty of points (30 points on 10 of 20 shooting), but 9 turnovers.

[LazarusLong]

He's Michael Redd, with good knees.

He's a good shooter being asked to do too much as far as run the team.

[Flagrant Fowl]

The 70-point game is the worst thing that could've happened to him.

[specialsauce]

He is not a #1 on a winning team. He is awful with the ball in his hands. He needs firstly an attitude change. He needs a coach that demands him to catch and shoot or immediately drive or PASS. Completely abandon this concept of asking him or allowing him to create the offense.

He needs to stop yelling at his teammates for making the same mistakes he makes continuously.

[iLLmatic]

The 70-point game is the worst thing that could've happened to him.

Damn if that ain't the truth..

[Bucktastic365]

He is not a #1 on a winning team. He is awful with the ball in his hands. He needs firstly an attitude change. He needs a coach that demands him to catch and shoot or immediately drive or PASS. Completely abandon this concept of asking him or allowing him to create the offense.

He needs to stop yelling at his teammates for making the same mistakes he makes continuously.

PREACH!

2 thumbs up for this; it's where I'm at as well.

[Bucktastic365]

Booker is: points, turnovers, attitude.

Sad thing is.....I still love him; he's Kobe, if Kobe got sent to an expansion team.

[specialsauce]

Booker is: points, turnovers, attitude.

Sad thing is.....I still love him; he's Kobe, if Kobe got sent to an expansion team.

He is MILES away from being Kobe. That is so insulting to KB. He was a beast defensively.

[Bucktastic365]

Booker is: points, turnovers, attitude.

Sad thing is.....I still love him; he's Kobe, if Kobe got sent to an expansion team.

He is MILES away from being Kobe. That is so insulting to KB. He was a beast defensively.

Ok, I'll give you that. I should have clarified by saying offensively.

[specialsauce]

Booker is: points, turnovers, attitude.

Sad thing is.....I still love him; he's Kobe, if Kobe got sent to an expansion team.

He is MILES away from being Kobe. That is so insulting to KB. He was a beast defensively.

Ok, I'll give you that. I should have clarified by saying offensively.

Fair

[Shabazz]

Completely abandon this concept of asking him or allowing him to create the offense.

Booker is given all of that offensive creation responsibility because he's literally the only player on the team who can create for himself or others with any consistency. For the second year in a row.

You think we'd look any better if Josh Jackson or Crawford or Okobo were given those responsibilities? I'm sure Booker would love nothing more than to play with someone who could ably share the burden.

This franchise has failed him.

[Charlie Smithy!]

That's a really good point, 'Bazz.

I do wonder what and where the balance is between a player's own individual responsibility for his progression, and a franchises responsibility to develop their own players.

Obviously during the Sarver era, we haven't exactly had a good track record for the latter.

[Nodack]

We are in last place and he is the leader of the team. Of course he is going to get crapped on by some people. You have to take it out on someone. Human nature.

[SDC]

i think he'll be a better player playing off the ball.

[Indy]

Completely abandon this concept of asking him or allowing him to create the offense.

Booker is given all of that offensive creation responsibility because he's literally the only player on the team who can create for himself or others with any consistency. For the second year in a row.

You think we'd look any better if Josh Jackson or Crawford or Okobo were given those responsibilities? I'm sure Booker would love nothing more than to play with someone who could ably share the burden.

This franchise has failed him.

THIS

[Superbone]

Completely abandon this concept of asking him or allowing him to create the offense.

Booker is given all of that offensive creation responsibility because he's literally the only player on the team who can create for himself or others with any consistency. For the second year in a row.

You think we'd look any better if Josh Jackson or Crawford or Okobo were given those responsibilities? I'm sure Booker would love nothing more than to play with someone who could ably share the burden.

This franchise has failed him.

THIS

<'Bone nods his head>

[Mori Chu]

The backlash against Booker is overblown. Trade him for peanuts and picks, and you'll regret it. Drive him away, it'll set us back years in our already too-long rebuild.

[Ring_Wanted]

This is just frustration speaking. But if this fanbase truly believes we are better off without Booker, we deserve all we get.